Friday, February 22, 2008

Although this is a little late (he's already written 22 posts in less than two days!), I feel compelled to add my name to the list of those grateful for Jim West's return to the biblioblogging world, despite his initial qualms about doing so. Before his exhaustive and exceedingly popular blog was senselessly deleted by hackers a few days ago, his words frequently rang out throughout cyberspace, calling us to examine and discuss the latest developments in the world of biblical studies, the latest deplorable depravities committed by deviant clergy, etc. Many people have written that they always considered Jim to be a provocative dialogue partner despite dramatic differences of opinion; I, on the other hand, frequently found myself in agreement with his charming rants, with one significant exception (I happen to like Wikipedia, while he thinks it's an abomination). I look forward to reading Jim's ever-humorous musings over my breakfast once more, and encourage everyone to give his new blog a look.

This book presents a range of case studies of pilgrimage in Graeco-Roman antiquity, drawing on a wide variety of evidence. It rejects the usual reluctance to accept the category of pilgrimage in pagan polytheism and affirms the significance of sacred mobility not only as an important factor in understanding ancient religion and its topographies but also as vitally ancestral to later Christian practice.

That's right! The entire March/April edition of BAR is free online. It just got much easier to share your favorite BAR articles with friends. And that's not all. Web exclusive "BAR Extras" will let you dig even deeper into the new issue. After reading BAR's cover story on a scholar's bold identification of a royal seal with the infamous Queen Jezebel, read other related articles on this fascinating woman. View more photos of BAR's intriguing "What Is It?" item. Read more on Emmaus and about the fascinating phenomenon of house shrines, including background information on the mysterious house shrine featured exclusively in the new issue of BAR. We're proud to share this issue (and its extras) with you. Please share it with others!

Bart Ehrman's recent 45-minute appearance on NPR's Fresh Air, which focused upon issues related to his new book God's Problem: How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Most Important Question--Why We Suffer, may be heard here.

About Me

A native Kentuckian and recent recipient of the degree of Master of Arts in Religion, with a concentration in biblical studies, from Yale University. Currently a doctoral student in the Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity program at the University of Virginia.